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While Warwick City Council members say it won’t happen, Rob Cote, who led “The Car Tax Revolt” at City Hall Monday, is still hopeful the council will modify the 2012 budget.
Cote and his followers will get the chance to make their case Sept. 12. Ward 4 Councilman Joseph Solomon, who docketed a hearing for that date, said he will ask the city tax assessor to attend and answer questions. He is looking for a resolution and calling on the General Assembly to revise the means of assessing motor vehicles.
Triggering the protest was the action of the mayor and council to lift $5,500 of the $6,000 exemption on motor vehicles to raise an additional $10 million in tax revenues. With the exemption virtually gone, an additional 30,000 vehicles have been taxed.
In addition, without the $5,500 exemption, many taxpayers discovered their vehicles were being valued at more than they say they are worth.
But, as far as the city is concerned, Cote isn’t worried about the valuations.
“The valuations are a separate issue I will take up with the state,” he said. “The council needs to take what they’ve heard, weigh that information out, and go back to their accountants and tax specialists or whoever and do some soul searching and ask themselves if raising this tax was the only way we could avoid Armageddon.”
Despite the rain Monday night, about 200 people attended the City Council meeting to participate in the rally. Led by Cote, many members of the crowd hoped the council would address their questions concerning the car tax, however, Council President Bruce Place informed them that because the issue was not on the agenda, it would not be addressed.
“I know people want to speak on the car tax issue, but that’s not going to happen,” Place said in council chambers just after 7 p.m. “The council will abide by the rules in regard to the open meetings regulations.”
Place explained that getting the car tax issue or any other issue on the agenda is a “fairly easy procedure” and that any constituent can request a council member to put it on the docket for the next meeting on Sept. 12, which is what ended up happening at the meeting’s closing.
“If people don’t understand what the rules are, they shouldn’t be playing the game,” Place said to the crowd.
At that point, many members of the crowd, who began to gather at City Hall around 4:30 p.m., went wild. Place’s voice became stifled by their angry shouts.
“Screw your game. If we were teachers, would you have time?” said Barry Blackinton, who modified the final word of the national anthem when he sang, “And the home of the taxed,” at the meeting.
Other residents hollered “boo” or “suspend the rules.” One person even said, “you’re a bunch of crooks,” as the council exited chambers for an executive session.
On Tuesday, Place said he regretted his use of the word “game” and he had not intended to make it sound like a scheme.
“Everything we did was in accordance with the rules,” he said. “I will not violate those rules.”
Soon after convening at 7 Monday, the council left to go into executive session. When they returned more than an hour later, the crowd had mostly left. They conducted business as usual and by the end of the meeting at about 10:30 p.m., Solomon put the topic on the docket for future discussion.
In a phone interview yesterday, Solomon said, “I have always been an advocate of letting people speak at meetings. Giving the people 10 to 15 minutes to vent is not a bad thing. It’s good to for them to speak on this so we can inform and educate them. It works both ways. We could learn something from them.”
While he is still adamant about a budget revision, Cote feels the revolt was a triumph for taxpayers. He said he is looking forward to Sept. 12.
“The main goal was going through the proper channels and procedures to get it on the docket for a public hearing, so I think we were totally successful,” Cote said. “We accomplished everything we needed to accomplish. We wanted to awaken people to finally step up and become part of the fiscal governmental process of the community. I have to send out 193 thank you cards, [as that many people signed up to be on the rally team.] I think the number would have been twice as many if it hadn’t rained. Some of my personal friends didn’t make it because of the weather.”
But, some of his friends did attend. Among the protesters alongside Cote included Rhode Island House Representative Doreen Costa (R-Dist. 31), former council members Bob Cushman and Helen Taylor, as well as Warwick residents Roger Durand, Lorraine Miller, Roy Dempsey and John Kennedy.
“Let’s not lose sight of the fact that they could have voted to suspend council rules to allow people to speak,” Durand said when the council exited council chambers for the executive session. “They opted not to. What happened was a typical scenario at the city council meetings.”
But, the evening itself was far from typical, as Cote estimated about a dozen police officers and a handful of fire personnel on hand. He thinks the display of officers was “yet another gross neglect” of fiscal responsibility.
“There were more cops there than there are at an AC/DC concert,” he said. “It’s a double edged sword because on one hand I’m glad they recognized that there is a number of people that are angry for them to think there could be a problem. But, on the other hand, they probably could have saved taxpayers more money by not having them there. Someone should ask for the detail payroll for Monday night’s meeting.”
Cote said he believes the council, as well as Mayor Scott Avedisian, “lack the fortitude to make the necessary structural changes so as not to have revenue to raise taxes and balance the budget on behalf of the taxpayer as opposed to having true fiscal reform in terms of realistic co-pays with health care; a reduction of these ridiculous buybacks of sick pay bonuses; and realistic pension reform.”
Further, he doesn’t approve of Avedisian’s pension reform. He described it as “laughable.”
“It saves $49,000 in the course of four years but during that same time, the taxpayer contribution to his changes is $6.9 million for the savings,” said Cote. “The mayor needs to hear words from successful small businessmen that balance their budget every day. They face putting their kids through school; self-payment of health care issues; and they wonder what they are going to do to survive in the future. When are we going to impose some realistic demands from people that are benefiting on the back of the taxpayers? We need to start looking at that and we need reform. The council could have taken up Police Chief [Stephen] McCartney when he said, ‘Yes, I can cut the budget by five percent,’ but they didn’t.”
During the rally, Cushman spoke of pension and health care reforms. He said while he doesn’t want to see teachers, public safety officials and municipal workers lose their jobs, he feels the taxpayers are suffering because they are funding their pensions and health care services.
“We are willing to pay for good services, but we see our taxes go higher and higher every single year,” Cushman said. “Are we getting new services? No. How many of you pay $11 for top of the line health care? That’s what the teachers pay. That hasn’t changed in five years. On the municipal side, it’s $48 a week for top of the line health care. We spend $8 million on health care for retirees. They pay zero for that.”
Cushman reminded everyone that pension reform is not just a hot topic in the city; it’s also a big issue in the state. He also discussed unfunded liabilities.
“We pay $270 million in unfunded liabilities based on numbers that aren’t even realistic,” he said. “In the next few years, taxes are going to go even higher and to pay for what? More pension aids. The unfunded liabilities for health care in this city are worse than the pension plan. Between the city and schools, it’s $320 million. I just gave you two figures that add up to about $600 million. We need to elect people that are willing to make tough decisions.”
Cote agreed. He said he believes the mayor and six of the city council members are out of control with spending.
“They have left this city on the verge of bankruptcy,” said Cote. “Just like Mayor [Angel] Tavares is holding the bag from Mayor [David] Cicilline, the next mayor of Warwick will be holding the bag for Mayor Avedisian.”
When asked if he is interested in running for political office in the future, Cote said he is undecided. He said he doesn’t feel he has the necessary skills to be mayor.
“I’m a good organizer and I can get people educated so they can pay attention to their government, but I think the guy who gets into this needs a master’s degree or a PhD in finance or 10 years on Wall Street as a hedge fund manager,” he said. “The challenge we’re going to have is to find people who are going to run for political office. Who’s going to jump into this mess? It’s not on my list of things to do career-wise, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t consider it. At this moment, I’m more interested in being with my family than thinking about politics.”
In response to the question of whether or not the rally was a way to generate attention in the media, Cote said, “That’s ridiculous. My life is devoted to my wife and my kids and in the last couple weeks, I’ve taken away leisure time with them to do this for the people that are hit the hardest. One of those people is my 88-year-old mother. It has nothing to do with me.”
Cote has been married nearly 14 years. He and his wife have two daughters, aged 11 and 13.
“With all the time I’ve spent doing this rally in the last few weeks, I could have been with my family,” he said. “I have better things to do, but it gets to a point where you see injustices done over and over again and people are suffering. Senior citizens are suffering. It wasn’t in vain because I think there are people out there that needed to be represented. It’s time to take it back. We completed what we wanted to do and that was step one. Now, we’re going to work twice as hard to keep people informed so they stay connected. We want to have that council chamber filled at every single council meeting from now until whenever.”
WHen they say 200 people, does 1 person =10. Looks from the video like there was 50 people tops. Leave it up to the Beacon to back these moon bats. Cushman, durrand and Cote are wack jobs.... Where was the other moon bat Langseth?
Great job Mr. Cote. I got a kick out of seeing all the cops.The rats on the city council should be scared. If the election was this november you might acually see some changes.
SteveD:
Perhaps I took my $5,000 1987 Ford Bronco into the swamp to cut some firewood in order to survive for another year! I wish that were the case. The truth is I was recovering from painful surgery.
Tell me once again how you plan to pay for the $9 million required to fix the fire code violations at the schools. Tell me about your city plan for making the self insurance claims to the WB Community Health administrator come next winter. Tell me how you propose to come up with the city contribution to pay the state for retired school teacher health care program increases in costs? Do you have enough in the bank to keep the sewer authority running through the winter?
The city is very tight right now and maybe you could help it figure out what to do!
Or is your solution to "get out of Dodge" yourself?
Let's have some solutions -- not mindless dribble.
@SteveD: What kind of name is that? Trying out for the next version of Jersey Shore I guess - A "Pauly D" want a be?
See if you can follow me now. 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and after that 51, 52, 53, 54. Got it Stevie D. not that difficult really.
By the way Stevie what does the D really stand for, "Dummy", maybe "Dope", "Dim-wit", "Dunce".
Oh, I am really hurt by your comments. Its Steve Demaris. There is no Jersey shore reference. Whats with the stupid math numbers? Duh does 55 come next. Wow I am smart. I am not happy with taxes either, But guess what I pay them, I have a good job that I went to school for and earned, I understand the way life works. You want services you pay. All the idiots that complain about leaving and haven't left yet, why are you still here? In the projo article one woman complained about having to pay for her 4 cars. Just be happy you have one. Langsteth had to throw in " I was recovering from painful surgery". I am weeping for you. Hope you didn't get hurt building the flood wall. Ive seen Cote's antics before all bark no bite. and Cushman is the biggest waste of air I have ever seen. You can't get your facts right at city council meetings, you lost your election MOVE ON. Richard, Swamp firewood might be a little water logged. Id just pay the 250 a chord...
Oh sorry Richard, we go after blue/cross and every healthcare provider for overchargeing the $hit out of everyone.....
SteveD: You ask why I am still here? Perhaps it is because I can get medical services at one of the leading health clinics in the USA, the Wilcox Center. Then I can see leading specialists within reasonable time frames. And, simply go over to Kent Hospital for more extensive care. This is one of the leading community hospitals in the area. By the way, my job at Mass Blue Cross was to study all of this. Do you want to see the numbers?
But it goes beyond the caring for pain and suffering answer. Living by the bay with views of the governor's house on the other side, East Greenwich where my kids learned to sail, and Newport where we frequently go shopping, I can be home from my job in downtown Boston in one hour if my wife picks me up at the Amtrak station. The pay is super, the respect working in an international financial center soothes a lot of ego bruises dished out at City Hall. For me, Warwick is an ideal community. (I know this is a big brag but I don't care. You asked why I stay and I stay for these reasons.)
There are hundreds if not thousands of homeowners in Warwick who would love to sell their homes to someone like me. The trick is to understand what we have here and market it. I suggest that you step back, consider your neighborhood, and think of ways to make it more attractive to willing commuters who are the future of this city. Bashing the complainers is not the way to go. You don't have to agree with their political stands. But, you have to admire how they are building their financial futures in this city in spite of all the problems. That is why they go down to City Hall in the first place. They are trying to protect a way of life that is the future of this city.
Finally Mr. Steve Demaris, AKA “SteveD”, comes out of the closet.
I wonder what finally prompted him to obtain the guts to attach his name to this blog?
I can't recall a "Steve Demaris" blogging in the Beacon on any other topic in the past.
What I can recall is blogger “SteveD” writing in a condescending, rude, obnoxious manner, personally attacking people he disagrees with. I guess with the veil of secrecy associated with blogging anonymously, it made him act so courageous.
Mr. Demaris, anytime you would like to engage in a public debate on Warwick City finances, pensions, healthcare, schools and other topics related, please name the date and time. You seem to purport yourself as a man with all the knowledge and have all the answers to the problems plaguing the city.
I am sure many Warwick taxpayers, including Beacon reporters, would relish an opportunity to determine your expertise on these many issues compared to mine.
I have never been afraid to speak my mind, whether it is before the media, the general public, municipal employees or in the column I write. I can't recall a "Steve Demaris" taking the microphone at the last budget hearing or for that matter at any time. I wonder why?
Bob - I don't claim to be an expert in any of the areas that you speak about. I have bogged many many times before (during the old beacon). Ive been to the city council meetings and have watched you run your mouth. Less than half the time (im being generous) you know what you are talking about. I read your articles in the beacon (a waste of time but I have to laugh). There is a reason you have the word FORMER in front of your name. People voted you out and are sick of listening to you rant. Yes there was 150 people there the other night. WOW thats less than 1/2 a percent of the population of warwick. I all for change, taxes are outrageous, but again I have no complaints about services. I am sick of listening to you and will never back anything you say. Richard enjoy your water view....
SteveD:
The mayor collided with his base of voters when he taxed cars over 20 years old as if they were all ready for the Tuesday night Oakland Beach Circuit. The owners of these cars were among his most loyal supporters. That was very, very crass. These people are not stupid.
So, now those supporters who remain loyal to the mayor will probably try to deflect the situation by attacking Bob Cushman with statements like "Cushman is an idiot." But, you know what? This is becoming a war of idiots. And the elected official is at a great disadvantage when trying to rise above such a fray.
The mayor won his only real contested election (against me) by just a few hundred votes - about one percent of the population of Warwick. Now that he has lost the older car crowd, the next primary will be a lot closer. It will be very hard for him to raise money from his union base when his situation is all over talk radio and the water view crowd has no interest in the war of clowns.
Steve: I have the financial documents and analysis to prove my claims. Next time you see me at a council meeting introduce yourself. I would be happy to bring that information to school you on the city finances.
You say you are not an expert on any of the areas I am discussing in one breath and then have audacity to claim Less then half the time I don't know what I am talking about.
You make as much sense as the political leaders in city hall and probably believe them when they tell you the city is in great shape.
I attribute this to you being naive or that you are benefiting from city programs at the expense of the taxpayers.
Either way I could care less that you font read my column, if no one cared it wouldn't be in its third year running and over ten of my columns have appeared state wide in the providence journal.
So once again I challenge you to put up or shut up. Give me examples of when I didn't have my facts straight. If you can do that I just might then go away.
Steve D, when are you going to get up at city hall meetings and identify yourself. We want to know what city dept. you work for. Let's have a real discussions of the issues that are bankrupting the city.
Mr. Cushman and others are to be congratulated for educating the citizens of Warwick as to why their taxes keep increasing. Stevie you just want to maintain the status quo.
Hey Stevie, be a man for once.
I just watched with disgust the video clip on this story. It seemed like a Cote Cushman infomercial. I was at that meeting, the Beacon's video is depolrable.
Yes I have a hard time with the amount of takes we pay. Yes I have an EXTREMELY hard time with the repeal of the exemption. But there are facts we can't ignore. Tax revenue is down due to the economy and the floods and bills come due. Ummm, it seems to me there would be no choice but to raise taxes. Should we stand up and voice our opinions? Yes! But let's keep the facts straight. City workers did not get a raise this year. Their pay was brought back by contractual agreement to the level it was 2 yrs ago. They agreed to take a paycut, the city agreed to give it back this year. Do I agree with the contract? No! But if our elected officials agreed to it, its unfair to call it a raise.
When I voiced that from the audience I believe it was Mr. Cushman that said "No matter how you slice it, it's a raise." Sorry, no. It was the city paying a bill that had come due. Let's fight for spending reform, but let's do it right. Let's not twist facts to meet our argument. We all look like fools when we do that and the message gets lost.
Mr. Cushman, while I thank you for your response to my email that you'll get back to me, I'm still waiting.
Mr. Cote, I very much agree with your argument, but please, let's do it right.
Mr. Harwood, as editor of the Beacon, you should be ashamed of that video clip attached to this article.
To anyone else that reads this, please come on September 12th, but be reasonable. Mob mentality sometimes wins but rarely lasts.
John Tucker